Graduate Applicants or Students interested in receiving financial aid assistance must have:
• Clear admittance into the graduate program pursuing
• Must be enrolled for at least 6 graduate hours or more per semester
Note: Students taking courses for professional improvement, certifications and pos bac students are not eligible for federal or state based financial aid.
I. Grants
1. Graduate Tuition Assistance Grant (GTAG)
GTAG is a need based grant awarded to students who demonstrate financial need as defined on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students will be awarded until all available funds are exhausted. It is recommended that students complete their FAFSA prior to April 1st Priority Deadline to increase their potential for receiving the GTAG.
2. Texas Public Education Grant (TPEG)
The Texas Public Educational Grant (TPEG) is an institutional grant for graduate students with exceptional financial need. A TPEG does not have to be repaid.
A student can receive between $100 and $1,000 of a TPEG at UT - Pan American a year depending when the student applied for aid. There is no guarantee every eligible student will be able to receive a TPEG; awards are based on the availability of funds.
A key factor in being awarded TPEG is applying early. Students who complete their FAFSA by the March 1st Priority Deadline increase their opportunity to receive limited funding awards, such as TPEG, for the Fall/Spring semesters.
Students interested in receiving limited funding awards, such as TPEG, for Summer are advised to complete a Summer Notification Form prior to the February 15th Summer Priority Deadline.
Scholarships.
II. Loans
1. Stafford Loan
Federal Stafford Loans are a major form of self-help aid and are available through the Federal Family Educational Loan Program. Stafford loans must be repaid after you graduate, leave school or drop below half-time enrollment.
The maximum amount that may be borrowed under the Subsidized Stafford Loan Program 8,500 as long as you do not exceed your cost of attendance.
2. Subsidized Stafford Loan
Graduates must be enrolled at least half-time. You must demonstrate financial need as determined by the information provided on the FAFSA.
For Subsidized Stafford Loans, the federal government pays the interest while you are enrolled in school at least half-time and during grace period. The interest rate is variable for new borrowers, with a maximum of 8.25%. Borrowers who currently have 7%, 8%, or 9% Stafford Loans will continue at the same rates. These low interest loans are made by federal and state government, banks, savings and loans, credit unions and other commercial lenders who participate in the program.
3. Unsubsidized Stafford Loan (UNSUB)
Graduates must be enrolled at least half-time. Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans are not based on need, although you must file the FAFSA to be considered.
The interest rate is variable with a maximum of 8.25%. Interest will be charged from the time the loan is disbursed to you, until it is paid in full. You can choose to pay the interest while you are in school or allow it to accumulate. However, allowing it to accumulate will increase the total amount you have to repay.
4. Grad Plus Loan
The Federal Graduate PLUS Loan is an unsubsidized loan for graduate and professional students. The borrower is responsible for all interest that accrues. The program allows a graduate student to borrow on his/her own behalf up tp the cost of attendance minus estimated financial assistance.
Borrower Eligibility:
• Must be a Graduate or Professional student enrolled at least half-time per semester
• Must complete the FAFSA.
• Must first apply for your maximum loan eligibility in Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford loans before the PLUS can be awarded.
• Parents of Graduate students will not be eligible to borrow the loan. The student will be the borrower.
• The borrower or endorser must be credit worthy in order for the lender to approve the loan. Plus Loan borrowers are required to pass a credit check. Borrowers cannot be 90 days or more delinquent on the repayment of any debt.
5. Perkins Loan
Students who would like to be considered for the Federal Perkins Loan must request it by filling out a "Revision Request" form. The "Revision Request" may be downloaded from the forms section of Student Financial Services homepage.
A Federal Perkins Loan is low-interest (5 percent), fixed rate, subsidized loan for both undergraduate and graduate students with exceptional financial need. The Federal Perkins Loan awards are made through UTPA's Office of Student Financial Services and UTPA is the lender. This loan is made available through government funds and must be repaid. To be eligible for this loan, a student must be enrolled at least six credit hours per semester. Because the amount of federal funding is limited, UTPA will only give consideration of awarding the Federal Perkins Loan to students who demonstrate high financial need. Priority is given to students who have previously received a Perkins Loan.
For more information about Grants and Loans, please contact:
Student Financial Services
Student Services Building 1.192
1201 W. University Drive
Edinburg, TX 78541-2999
(956) 665-2501
finaid@utpa.edu
Federal School Code: 003599
III. Scholarships at UTPA
UTPA scholarships are intended to recognize students for their outstanding academic accomplishments and future potential. The awards are based on various prerequisites and are made possible through the generosity of business firms, organizations, individuals, and University endowed funds.These scholarships are awarded to students who have completed a scholarship application by the proper deadline date and who have met the criteria required by the donor.
1. Excellence Scholarship
The UTPA Excellence Scholarships are funded through a variety of memorials and endowments. While the criteria for receiving these scholarships and the amounts of the awards vary, all eligible students are encouraged to apply.
The University scholarship committee selects the recipients on a competitive basis, and funds are administered though the Student Financial Services Office. Scholarships are not renewable and students must apply every year. The criteria for these scholarships are as follows:
• Most are available to all majors with a minimum Grade Point Average of 2.5 and full-time enrollment status
• Available to Undergraduate and Graduate students
• Most require US citizenship or legal permanent resident status. However, International students are still encouraged to apply.
• Awards vary depending on funds.
• Recipients are selected on a competitive basis.
• Scholarships are not automatically renewable; students must re-apply each year
• Priority is given to students who have not received an institutional scholarship
2. Angel Investor Staff Scholarship
• For a UTPA staff member applicant, you must be a full-time staff member of UTPA and enrolled in a minimum of three hours and have at least 12 months of continuous full-time service to UTPA by the application deadline
• For UTPA students non-staff applicants, you must be enrolled as a full-time student of UTPA
• All applicants must have at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average.
• All applicants must not be in default on any student loan
Preference will be given to those individuals who have:
• Have applied as an undergraduate student
• Have a current degree plan on file with their major department chair
• Are an undergraduate student pursuing their first bachelor's degree
Include with this application the following:
• Current Transcript
• An essay of no more than 100 words advising the Angel Investor Scholarship Committee about your career goals and why you should receive the scholarship.
For more information about UTPA Scholarships, please contact:
Scholarship Office
Student Services Building 1.136
Scholarship Office
1201 W. University Drive
Edinburg, TX 78539-2999
(956) 665-2935
scholarship@utpa.edu
IV. Addittional UTPA Scholarships
Scholarships offered directly by UTPA departments.
1. STEM Success Scholarship Program
Scholarships are available to Hispanic American graduate students who will be enrolling fulltime in a STEM related Master’s graduate program (for the first time) in Fall 2010. Scholarships will cover full tuition and fees for up to 36 graduate hours at UTPA, with continued participation dependent on satisfactory performance in the graduate program. The scholarship is part of the “Promoting Post-baccalaureate Opportunities for Hispanic Americans” grant that was awarded by the U.S. Department of Education to UTPA.
Application packets are due by March 15, 2010 and students that are selected will be notified by March 31, 2010. For more information please review the STEM Success Scholarship summary.
2. Military Science Department - College of Social and Behavioral Sciences College
The Military Science Department offers $20,000 to all qualifying UTPA Graduate Students who are obtaining a Master’s degree. This includes:
• $450-$500 a month pay/stipend ($5,000 a year x 2 years = $10,000) in addition to the scholarship below;
• Unlimited number of 2-year scholarships (tuition, fees, books) for all students of any master’s program here at UTPA (about $5,000 a year x 2 years = $10,000)
Requirements:
• Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.5 +
• Pass an Army basic fitness test (run, push-up, sit-up)
• Pass an Army physical fitness examination (we pay through our contracted local physician)
• Are interested in becoming an officer/leader in the Army Reserve, National Guard or Active Duty
For more Information contact Captain Abel Gonzalez (956) 665-3601
V. Off Campus Scholarships
1. General Information
• Where to Search for Scholarships?
• Scholarships Currently Available
• Have a scholarship check or will receive a scholarship check and don’t know what to do?
• Will my scholarship affect or be affected by my financial aid?
2. Some Off Campus Scholarships
• South Texas Academic Rising Scholars (STARS)
• The Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF)
• National Society of Hispanic MBAs (NSHMBA)
External Scholarships
